The CRA factor:

Rule 2.2.6:

CRA's Functions:

Have fair play on all three courts

Have a clear and easy system to calculate if the line-up doesn't follow the non-stacking rule

CRA: (Calcul pour le Respect de l'Alignement): the calculation is based on a formula in which the partnership and the opponents are taken into account; the percentage of games won or loss is also in the formula. See How does the formula work?

The basic CRA factor is different for each level and increases from the level IV player to the best player of Level I.

Each match played generates a change to the CRA factor in the following manner:

A win generates an increase to the CRA factor

A loss generates a reduction to the CRA factor

The increase is equal in absolute value to the decrease on each individual court.

Each player has an individual CRA factor. At first, a CRA factor is given to the new player by the head pro. This factor should reflect the position she holds in her team and level of play.

At the end of the season including playoffs every player's CRA factor is retained for use in the following season.

The following principle must be respected. The sum of the CRA factors of the team playing on court #1 must be higher or equal to the sum of the CRA factors of the team playing on court #2. The sum of the CRA factors of the team playing on court #2 must be higher or equal to the sum of the CRA factors of the team playing on court #3.

If this rule is not respected the team at fault:

During the regular season, will incur two penalty points in the standings under the matches' column.

During the playoffs, will automatically lose the round and the opposing team continues to the next round.

Why is the CRA secret?

The CRA factor is a tool for the coaches only. It was decided at the very beginning that the CRA factor would not be known publicly, thus the secret aspect. Each club, team functions differently when it concerns divulging the CRA factor to their players.

The CRA factor as per it's function evolves with each player as the season progresses and within her team and her level. The CRA factor isn't a coefficient of strength of play nor ability and changes each time a match is played. Knowing your own CRA factor doesn't give you any information. EX: In level II the CRA factor of 14,34 may be for the strongest player on a team while the weakest on another team.

The CRA and the sub

The substitute plays a match in our league and all our matches are regulated by the CRA formula which takes into account the CRA factor of each player regardless of her level.

Each substitute is different and can have a CRA factor that is lower, equal or superior to any player on the team in which she is replacing. The formula does not distinguish the substitute from a regular player of the team in which she is replacing, therefore the CRA factor of the sub must be used in order to respect the CRA rule.

The closer the match is, less is the decrease in the CRA factor for a loss. However, 1 win per 2 losses is the norm for the replacements; in these cases, the increase in the CRA factor will normally be greater. SEE How does the formula work?

How does the "CRA" formula work?

Whatever the level, the variations in the CRA factor per match are between 0,14 and 0,50 for a win and -0,14 & -0,50 for a loss.

The following include examples taken from level II where basic CRA factors are between 12,00 & 17,00 in the early season.

The formula generating a variation in the CRA factor has 2 parts: the probability of winning the match "Expected %" and the outcome of the games. As a first principle we want a fair game where the odds are 50-50. However, we all know a match is not always 50-50; this is the "EXP %" to win part. The second half of the CRA formula is directly related to the % of games won.

1st half of the formula: regardless of the court, the CRA totals from both teams are subtracted from each other : EX 34.54 - 32.69 = 1.85. The table of EXP % * gives these pairs, 70% and 30% probabilities of winning. The team with a probability of 70% is supposed to win. For a win, the higher the Expected %, smaller is the increase in the CRA factor and the lower the Expected %, greater is the increase in the CRA factor. It's the opposite in a loss; the higher the probability, the greater is the decrease in the CRA factor and the lower the EXP % the smaller is the decrease in the CRA factor.

2nd half of the formula takes into account the % of games won: EX: 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 gives 17 games for the winners and 14 games for the losers or 17/(17+14) = 55% versus 14/(17+14) = 45% of the games.

If the team with the 70% wins, the variation in the CRA factor is 0,22 and will be added to each winner's personal CRA factor.Calculations: 0,28# X (100% - 70%) + 0,25 ** X ( 55% of the games) = 0,084 + 0,1375 = 0,22. Therefore a decrease of -0,22 per player in the defeated team.

If the team with the 30% wins, the variation in the CRA factor is 0,33 added to each winner's personal CRA factor (-0,33 for the defeated team)Calculations: 0,28 X (100% - 30%) + 0,25 X (55% of the games) = 0,196 + 0,1375 = 0,33

As previously stated, the variations in the CRA factor per match are between 0,14 and 0,50 for a win and -0,14 & -0,50 for a loss.

0,14 = a match won (7-6, 0-6, 7-6) by the team having 90% chance of winning

0,50 = a match won (6-0, 6-0) by the team having 10% chance of winning

-0,14 = a match lost (6-7, 6-0, 6-7) by the team having 10% chance of winning

-0,50 = a match lost (0-6, 0-6) by the team having 90% chance of winning.*The EXPECTED % is a statistic worked out in an exponential table# 0,28 is a constant established by the CRA committee** 0,25 is a constant established by the CRA committee

CRA committee report

While trying the new numbers we realized that the margin of "4" between 4 & 8, 8 & 12 etc.. was insufficient. It is more convenient to leave the initial extreme minimum of 2 and a margin of "5" per level. This leaves more room to manouvre within a team of 12 players. The particularities within the level 1 makes it difficult to not increase the extreme maximum.

for the 2015-16 season the CRA per level are:

Level IV: between 2 & 7

Level III: between 7 & 12

Level II: between 12 & 17

Level I: between 17 & 24

CRA vs MNP

CRA (rule 2.2.6) & MNP (rule 1.8).

The CRA (calculation for the respect of the alignment) and MNP (My Number of Point system) are two distinct formulas. CRA counts in all games played and generates without exception even during retired matches and substituting. The CRA can increase in a win and decrease in a loss. The MNP only adds up the wins and only increases with a win. Although the CRA and MNP give us an idea of the level of play of a player, the two are independent.